Poverty Monitoring in the Context of COVID-19

The spread of the Covid-19 virus is testing the health and economic systems of individual countries and the world as a whole. The standard response ‘toolkit’ is mainly aimed at containing the spread of the virus, and focuses less on the short- and medium-term economic and social measures required to address the needs of people in or near poverty. Across developing countries, there are growing concerns about the impact that the pandemic and the policy responses will have on the lives of the poorest and most marginalized who may be least able to withstand Covid-19 on top of their existing vulnerabilities and crises. While the impact of the pandemic is still in its initial stages across many low and lower-middle-income countries, its peak may be during the next few months.

This webinar brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss the key impacts of the virus and short-term policy responses on the poor and vulnerable, the adjustments to immediate policy responses needed to prevent mass impoverishment, hunger or destitution, and how economic stimulus packages can be made to benefit the poorest. This event is part of the ODI at 60 global reset dialogue series, challenging decision-makers to provide more sustainable and equitable pathways for the future.